SHANA� Russian oil refining major, Russneft, has signaled keenness to enhance oil ties with Iran especially in crude oil swap projects, an official said.

Amir Hossein Zamaninia, deputy petroleum minister for international affairs and trading, said the Russian company has also indicated willingness to join development projects in Iran's oil fields including Azadegan, Maroon, Koopal and Yaran projects.

Speaking following a meeting with Otabek Karimov, Russneft vice president in commerce & logistic, Mr. Andrey Laveez, the company's vice president chief geologist, and Mrs. Vlada Rusakova, vice president in gas business, in his Tehran office on Monday, the official said Russneft is also keen on cooperating with Iran in swap of crude oil and petroleum products.

Russneft is a Russian oil refining company and one of the largest producers of oil products in the country. The company operated two refinery - one in Orsk and in Krasnodar.